Further information – ‘Phone Des on 01355266011 or use the form on the Contact Us page.

Pro Holistic is based in Lanarkshire, G75, from where we provide our services to the Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, and Glasgow areas.

What is Tai Chi Chuan?

Tai Chi Chuan (pronounced Tai Chee Chwan) is said to have been created by Chang Sang-Feng, a Taoist priest, during the T’ang dynasty in China about 700 years ago. It is sometimes described as “Shadow Boxing” or “Active Meditation. Funamentally, it is a martial art not only embraces philosophy and self-defence but also consciousness, psychology and medicine. Tai Chi is a Chinese Internal martial art – Nia Chia – where the emphasis is on exercising body, mind and spirit.

However, the chuan, or martial, aspect of Tai Chi Chuan is, probably, studied by less than ten percent of those who practice Tai Chi, with the vast majority focussing on the health and wellbeing that continued practice, of the forms, can bring.

Tai Chi Chuan is the most popular of all the Internal martial arts forms around the world with Yang Family Style being the most prolific. The meaning of Tai Chi is Grand Ultimate Fist or Supreme Ultimate Fist – this is not an egotistical claim to be the best martial art, it refers to the Tai Chi symbol, (more commonly known as the Yin/Yang symbol), which itself symbolizes the Universe (past, present, and future). As with all other arts, Tai Chi has become much more diverse as it different families and teachers, through the millennia, have influenced the moves/application/style. But through all this, even with the diversity of styles, the essence of the Internal Art must remain for any of these styles to be truly called Tai Chi.

The natural way of movement of Tai Chi is only achieved when there is harmony between the movement of the body, mind and spirit. The carefully structured patterns of the Tai Chi form reflect the Taoist views of the universe. Throughout the form, and indeed throughout life when one lives within the principals of Tai Chi, the Shen is lifted, making the upper body light and flexible, while the Chi is sunk, and feet are planted solidly on the earth. In Taoist philosophy, this is seen as symbolizing mans’ position standing between the heavens and earth.

For centuries the Chinese have recognised the incredible health benefits of Tai Chi. Its effects can be categorized into three separate but interconnected groups: –

The effects on internal physiological balance and equilibrium.

The effects on postural balance.

The effects on psychological balance.

Although some of these effects are seen quickly, it may be some time before others are appreciated. The initial effects of Tai Chi are usually observed in the relaxation of the muscles and deeper, more relaxed, breathing. This then lead to better circulation, healthier blood pressure, and also to a change in brain-wave from beta to alpha (this often occurs more quickly through Chi Kung) that occurs during the practice of the form. This, in turn, sets up a feedback loop encouraging deeper relaxation and awareness.

Tai Chi constitutes a holistic approach to health and it is now being advised along with Chi Kung by some doctors for people with stress disorders, angina and is now being recommended as a post heart bypass exercise. It seems that the West is beginning to appreciate the centuries of accumulated knowledge of the East.

The emphasis, in the main, is now on the health aspects of the art, but this is only one facet and by ignoring the other facets, it is important therefore to find a teacher who can not only “do the form” but who also has knowledge and experience of Chi, the healing aspects, the spiritual (Shen) aspect, and the martial aspect of the art.